Being a newly single woman back in the dating game at her 30s, I’ve been a little surprised to see just how common online dating as become. In my 20s it was virtually unheard of and in my late 20’s and 30’s big dating sites started popping up, most of which charge a small fee. Still though, it was the shame game and no one wanted to admit they were dating someone from online, let alone that they even have a profile up on the site!
The stigma for online dating has pretty much all been erased in the last few years. People are busy (especially when you’re in your 30s and 40s) and online dating just makes more sense now. It’s better than the bar, and unless you happen to work in a very big company with lots of singles (who you can actually interact with once in awhile). It’s hard to find and meet people. I love how when out in public, I look around and notice that virtually everyone is buried in their phone. On My last trip to Starbucks in busy downtown Salt Lake City, I don’t think I saw anyone there besides a couple of young moms chatting in the corner, who weren’t staring at their phone or laptop! We’re all online for nearly every hour of the day, why not be dating on it too?!
Photos courtesy of Romance Compass.com
I fought it for a few months after becoming single. At a Christmas Party last year, One of my young single friends showed me how to work some of the more popular dating apps and exclaimed to me, “This is what everyone is doing now, It’s just how you meet people now!) So eventually I started looking to online dating as the Holidays came around and I began to feel lonely. It was time.
There are still those big online dating sites out there, still charging, and they’re are quite a free few apps now that will access you with fellow locals. But what I’ve been noticing this time around being single, is how many different communities there are for online dating. You can find online dating sites to help you meet people all over the world if you happen to travel often. There are sites for people over 30, sites related to culture/ethnicity, religion, and even certain more specific sites such as Sugar Daddy/Sugar Baby relathionships, as well as similar sites that allow you to make your own special arrangement with a partner. You can even find sites such as Romance Compass, that help men find a Russian Wife.
Whatever your specific need, desire, want, or curiosity, there is probably a dating app/website for it! Just be sure you know how to work it, once you’re online!
5 Online Dating Tips Courtesy of RomanceCompass.com
- Put your best foot forward, but be genuine. Don’t be afraid to brag yourself up a bit, but don’t go lying either! Eventually they’re gonna find out!
- Add a good picture of yourself (please no group photos where we have no idea which one you are!) So many times I see profiles without a picture, and from my experience, you’re asking to be overlooked if you don’t cough up a pic of that pretty little mug of yours!
- Don’t be afraid to strike up a convo with someone you find yourself interested in. You won’t know if you don’t try, and from my experience, the people I’m interested in don’t always end up hitting me up first!
- Be weary of online dating scams. They are very real, and they are out there. If someone starts hitting you up for money right away, be aware.
- Have fun and stay positive! This is one I find I need to work on myself. Dating can be rough, but keep at it like you would any big goal in your life, even when you fail several times over, and you will eventually find what (and whom!) you’re looking for!
Happy Dating!